Tape loom



1948- R. J. BARTHOLOMEW 2,453,181

TAPE LOOM Filed Nov. '7, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Hgi.

1948- R. J. BARTHOLOMEW 2,453,131

TAPE LOOM Filed Nov. 7, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1948- R. J. BARTHOLOMEW 2,453,181

TAPE LOOM Filed Nov. 7, 1947 4 Sheets-She 5 Patented Nov. 9, 1948 TAPE 1.00M

Robert J. Bartholomew, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Fletcher Works, Incorporated, Philadeiphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 7, 1947, Serial No. 784,748 8"Claims. (Cl. 139-136) This invention relates to looms. and more particularly to looms of the narrow fabric type used in weaving tapes, ribbon and webbing.

The speed with which a narrow fabric loom has been able to operate heretofore has been relatively slow and this fact has been the major deterrent to increased production of narrow fabrics. The maximum speed with which present day looms can be operated properly, does not exceed 200 picks per minute, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a narrow fabric loom which can be operated at speeds 50% to 100% in excess of this figure with complete satisfaction.

Many expedients have been proposed to increase the speed and production of narrow fabric looms and it has been found that the chief limiting factor has been the necessity of oscillating the lay or batten of such a loom. Elimination of an oscillating batten entirely has been proposed but the cost and complication of such a loom have prevented its coming into general use. The problem, therefore, is to reduce the throw of the batten and at the same time to decrease its inertia to the point where a loom having an oscillating batten can be operated satisfactorily at speeds of well over 300 picks per minute.

A step in the solution of this problem is disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 2,381,028 in which increased speed can be obtained by means of greatly shortened batten or lay travel.

A primary object of the present invention is to decrease the inertia of the batten by removing the comb structure from the batten to the frame of the loom.

A further object is to provide driving connections for the comb structure which not only operate in timed relationship with the batten and the crankshaft of the loom, but also provide an improved timing cycle for the shuttles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a batten structure in a narrow fabric loom which reduces abrasion of the warp, especially when higher speeds are employed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in conjunction with a short stroke batten,'a continuous take-up for the fabric.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan of a portion of a narrow fabric loom showing the improved batten construction;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the structure of Fig. 1 showing the shuttle in alternate positions;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the loom taken along the lines 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the batten in approximately mid-position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic view showing the comb or reed in the fully raised or "beatup position against the fell;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 with the batten in a fully retracted position and the comb or reed oscillated away from the fell;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail showing the comb or reed beating-up the weft or filling thread;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective of the comb or reed;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail showing the continuous drive for the take-up cylinder; and

Fig. 11 is a side view of the structure of Fig. 10.

The invention comprises a loom having an oscillatory bar mounted in bearings carried by the frame of the loom and actuated from the loom crankshaft in timed relationship by means of a cam and suitable links. The bar carries a series 01' comb or reed elements adapted to pivot to a retracted position to permit passage of the shuttie and to a raised or "beat-up position for beating up the weft or filling thread in the fell of the fabric.

A cylindrical cam operates the shuttle rack on the batten and this cam is driven in timed relationship to the crank shaft and comb elements proper timing of the shuttles, a variable rotational velocity of the cylindrical cam. Consequently, the movement of the shuttles and shuttle rack do not follow the sine curve of simple harmonic motion.

The eccentricity of the crankshaft sprocket is equal to that of the cranks which impart movement to the batten so that the distance between centers of the crankshaft sprocket and the shuttle sprocket remains constant, but the variation from simple harmonic motion imparted to the shuttles by means of eccentricity causes a prolonged dwell at each end of the pick or stroke.

Continuous take-up, important with higher speeds of operation, is provided through an adiustable bevel and spur gear drive from the crankshaft.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the lay 15, which in narow fabric looms of the present type is more commonly referred to as the batten, comprises the general structure carried by the lay swords l6, which are connected to the main loom frame H by pivots I8 near the base of the frame |1. It will be understood that in a complete loom the batten has a beam l9 extendin transversely across the loo-m within the frame l1 and is provided with a series of shuttles placed side by side, but for the sake of clarity only one mechanism is described. I

The batten I5 is oscillated by means of connecting rod 2| pivotally connected to the batten by a pivot pin 22 and to the main crankshaft 23 of the loom through an eccentric 24. Vertical bars 25 are secured to the beam l9 and serve to support spaced shuttle blocks 28 each of which has a T-slot adapted to guide and retain the shuttle 28. As is well known in the art, the shuttle 28 is ,reciprocated transversely with respect to batten l5 and is also provided with a longitudinal movement with respect to the warp (Figs. 3 and 4) since the shuttle is carried on the batten beam l9. This reciprocation of the shuttle with respect to the batten I5 is eifected by a cylindrical cam 21 rotated by spur gears 28 and 29. the former of which is connected to the hub of sprocket 30. A rack 3| mounted on beam l9 carries a cam follower 32 which rides in cam slot 33 of cam 21. The shuttle 28 has a rack 34 which cooperates with a, pair of pinion gears 35, 35 mounted in the blocks 26 by means of screws 36 so that reciprocation of rack 3| is imparted to the shuttle 20 through pinion gears 35, 35 and rack 34. The construction of the shuttle 20 and the bobbin 31 forming part of the shuttle proper.

other and serves to maintain the proper align ment of threads 39 and 48 in shed 38. Before passing to the harness frames 49, the threads may be fed through reed 52, around roller 53, under glass guide bar 54 (Fig. 5). Suitable support for the fell of the fabric is provided by means of guide pins 55 mounted on bracket 56. The fabric then passes over glass rod 51 to take-up roll 58 provided with a friction surface against which the fabric is pressed by a roller 59.

The oscillating comb or reed member 60 (Figs. '7 and 9) is constructed of a plurality of vertical dents 6| in spaced relation with each other to provide dent spaces therebetween. The dents 6| are clamped in a body 62 by a plate 63 and screw 84. The body 62 is secured to a comb bar 85 for movement therewith. The dents 6| are preferaby made of flat smooth strip material with free terminal ends 66. The comb or reed 80 "beatsup weft or filling threads 61 in the fell of the fabric when the comb is oscillated to contact the weft with the forward edges of dents 6| as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8. The timing of the movement of the comb 60 is such that the dents 6| are raised to beat the fell when the shuttle is at each end of its stroke and also the batten is at the forward end of its stroke so that the weft thread takes the position shown in Fig. 3. The length of the shuttle eye 68 is important because at the moment comb 60 beats-up, the filling thread 51 should be aligned at right angles to the warp.

In order to permit the shuttle 20 to lay the succeeding weft or filling thread 61, the comb must be removed from the fell and for this purpose it oscillates to the extreme downward position as indicated in Fig. '7, but with the lower sheet of warp threads passin therethrough. The timing of the movement of the comb 6 0 is provided through link 89 clamped securely to one end of the comb bar 85, A cam 10 on the crankshaft 23 actuates a cam roller 1| mounted on an "arm 12 pivoted to the frame l1 at 13. The upper end of the arm 12 is connected to connecting link 14 by a pivot pin 15 and to link 69 by an adjustable. pivot pin 16. oscillating motion is achieved by positioning of the pivot pin 18 in a slot 11 in the link 69.

The angle throughwhich comb 80 oscillates is such that the free ends 86 of the dents 6| never entirely emerge from theshed 38. In this way, permanent threading of the comb 68 is maintained. There is no possibility that the warp ends can become engaged in the wrong spaces between the dents 8| since the harness frames reverse when both the top and bottom shed layers 39 and 48 are located in the spaces between the dents 6|.

The position of the shed 38 with respect to the comb 60 shown in Fig. 7 illustrates the shed in one of its extreme open positions and clearly shows that the free ends 86 of the dents 8|-never become disengaged entirely from the lower threads of the shed. In Fig. 2 the comb 60 is in a position forward of its extreme retracted position, as will be apparent from'the positioning of cam 10 with respect to roller 1|. However, as the 4 comb 60 oscillates farther downward, the shedat the same time opens correspondingly and prevents the disengagement of'the lower threads of the shed from the comb 80.

The use of the oscillating comb 88 as herein described and illustrated permits operation of the Y shuttle 20 close'to the fell of the fabric, and the use of a reduced amplitude of oscillation of the With this construction the rack 3| can be driven by an eccentric sprocket 80 which"- batten I5.

is keyed to crankshaft 23 and drives sprocket 30 on shaft 8| by means of chain 82. Shaft 8| is mounted on and forms a part of the batten assembly l5 and is axially retained thereon by means of collar 83. The spur gear 28 is keyed to the shaft 8| and. by its engagement with gear 29 drives cam 21 as has previously been described. Since the eccentricity of sprocket 88 is equal to the eccentricity of cam 24, the center distance between sprockets 38 and 80 remains constant with the result that no variance in the tension of chain 82 occurs and together with the shape of cam slot 33 provides the desired timing for the reciprocation of the shuttle so that it moves rapidly during the laying in of the filling thread with a dwell at the end of each pick or stroke.

The entire loom is driven by an electric motor (not shown) which is operatively connected to main shaft 23 by means of spur gear 84 and meshing gear 85 on motor shaft 86 as shown in Fig. 1.

In slower speed looms, an intermittent fabric take-up has been found tobe suflicient for speeds commonly employed. However, at the higher speeds utilized in my construction, I have found that a continuous dr'ivefor the ,take-up reel is.

very advantageous. 'Referring now to Figs. 10, and 11, jackshaft 81 is driven from crankshaft 23 by means of bevel gears 88, 89 and is supported by means of yoke 98. Worm 9| at the lower end of shaft 81 drives worm wheel 92 mounted in Suitable adjustment of the bracket 93, which in turn drives spur gear M through a reduction gear train consisting of gears 95, 96, 81, 98 and 99. The take up cylinder 58 is mounted on shaft I00 to which gear 94 is keyed.

Slots llll in bracket 93 permitthe adjustment of the bracket to accommodate diflerent gears in place of the gear 95 when it may be desired to vary the speed with which the take-up roll 58 turns. In this way, gear 95 is readily replaceable with a larger or smaller gear.

Reed 52, guide bar 54 and harness frames 49 are all well known in the art as applied to a narrow fabric loom.

I have, therefore, disclosed a construction in which the comb or reed 60 for beating up the filling thread is separated from the batten and is operated independently thereof in timed relationship. The shortened stroke of the batten which is thus provided permits of increased speed of operation.

I claim:

1. In a narrow fabric loom of the type having a frame, a crankshaft journaled on said frame, warp shed forming means on said frame, a. batten, means for oscillating said batten, a shuttle operable lengthwise of said batten to place weft threads in open warp sheds formed of threads extending transversely across said batten; the combination of a rack for actuating said shuttle, a cam follower secured to one extremity of the rack, a cam having cam faces engaging the cam follower, a cam actuating sprocket adapted to rotate the cam, an eccentric on the crankshaft, a connectin rod connectedto said eccentric for oscillating said batten, an eccentric sprocket on the crankshaft in alignment with the cam actuating sprocket, and a chain for drivin the cam actuating sprocket from the crankshaft sprocket.

2. Loom construction in accordance with claim 1, in which the eccentricity of the crankshaft sprocket is equal to the throw of the connecting rod eccentric.

3. In a narrow fabric loom, a frame, warp shed forming means carried by said frame, a batten and a shuttle operable lengthwise thereof to place filling threads in open warp sheds formed of warp threads extending transversely across said batten, the combination of a comb actuating bar mounted in said frame, a comb assembly mounted on the bar adapted to oscillate lon itudinally in the shed, means for oscillating the bar in timed relation with the batten, a rack for actuating the shuttle, a cam follower secured to one extremity ,of the rack, a cylindrical cam supported in axial alignment with the rack having a cam slotengaging the cam follower, a sprocket mounted on the batten adapted to rotate the cam, a crankshaft mounted in the loom, an eccentric sprocket on the crankshaft in alignment with the cam sprocket on the batten, and a chain for driving the cam sprocket from the crankshaft sprocket.

4. In a loom including a frame, a batten and a shuttle operable lengthwise thereof to place weft threads in open warp sheds formed of warp threads extending transversely across said batten, the combination of a comb bar mounted on said frame, a comb assembly mounted on the bar adapted to oscillate longitudinally in the shed. said assembly constructed to have a plurality of dents in spaced lateral relation with each other and in continuous engagement with a portion of the shed, means for oscillating the comb bar in timed relation with the batten, a rack for actuating said shuttle, a cam follower secured to one extremity of the rack, a, cylindrical cam supported in axial alignment with the rack" having a cam slot engaging the cam follower, a sprocket mounted on the batten adapted to rotate the cam, a crankshaft mounted in the loom, an eccentric sprocket on the crankshaft in alignment with the cam sprocket on the batten, the eccentricity of the crankshaft sprocket being equal to the throw of the crankshaft, and a chain for driving the cam sprocket from the crankshaft sprocket. I

5. In a loom including a frame, warp shed forming means in said frame, a batten and a shuttle operable lengthwise thereof to place filling threads in open warp sheds formed of warp threads extending transversely across said batten, a. comb bar mounted on said frame, a comb assembly mounted on the bar in continuous engagement with a portion of the shed, means for oscillating the comb bar in timed relation with the batten, a rack for actuating said shuttle, a cam follower secured to one extremity of the rack, a

cylindrical cam supported in axial alignment with the rack having a cam slot engaging the cam follower, a sprocket mounted on the batten adapted to rotate the cam, a crankshaft mounted in the loom and having a batten crank, an eccentric sprocket on the crankshaft iii alignment with the cam sprocket on the batteri, the eccentricity of the crankshaft sprocket being equal to the throw of the batten crank, a chain for driving the cam sprocket from the crankshaft sprocket, a take-up shaft, and driving connections between the loom crankshaft and the take-up shaft for continuously rotating the take-up shaft.

6. In a narrow fabric loom of the type having a frame, a crankshaft journaled on said frame, warp shed forming means on said frame, a batten, means for oscillating said batten, a shuttle operable lengthwise of said batten to place weft threads in open warp sheds formed of threads extending transversely across said batten; the combination of a filling thread delivery eye so constructed and arranged in the shuttle that when the batten is at the forward limit of its stroke, the end of the eye is in alignment wlth the fell of the fabric, an oscillatory comb pivotally mounted on the loom frame and adapted to beat up the weft threads. and a cam for oscillating said comb in timed relation to the shuttle.

7. In a narrow fabric loom of the type having a frame, a crankshaft journaled on said frame, warp shed forming means on said frame, a batten, means for oscillating said batten, a shuttle operable lengthwise of said batten to place weft threads in open warp sheds formed of threads extending transversely across said batten; the combination of a filling thread delivery eye so constructed and arranged in the shuttle that when the batten is at the forward limit of its stroke,

the end of theeye is in alignment with the fell .of the fabric, an oscillatory comb pivotally mounted on the loom frame, a cam for oscillating said comb in timed relation to the shuttle, and a fabric guide mounted on said frame.

8. In a narrow fabric loom, a frame, warp shed forming means in said frame, a transverse batten member mounted in said frame for oscillatory movement therein, a shuttle for supplying filling to sheds opened by said shed forming means, spaced shuttle guides carried by said batten member and in which said shuttle oscillates laterally with respect to the batten member, said shuttle having a filling thread delivery portion aligned m ter with the fell ane szloth when: said shuttle is in either of said guides and when'the batten is's'ubstanti aily fit the .forward'limlt of its strpke, an oscillatable beat-upi'comb in cqntinuous engagement with a'portionfot the shed, and operating 11: 2am; for oscillating sa1d comb in timed relation to said shuttle. J V

3.03m: J. nmmononmw. REFERENCES CITED The 51 1 9 8references m'or more i'n the Name, D'izte bflkwoi'th Jan. 11. 18 76 Number Number Germany Nov. '24, 1921 

